Unisa’s research and innovation elite to walk the red carpet on 21 April

Despite the new normal brought by the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic, Unisa’s researchers and innovators continue to produce ground-breaking research. On 21 April 2023, the university will present its 12th annual Research and Innovation (R&I) Awards in recognition of more than 100 exceptional academics who exemplified African research excellence in 2021/2022.

Considering Unisa’s 150^th anniversary theme for this year, “Reclaiming Africa’s Intellectual Futures”, the laudable work of the university’s researchers and innovators advances African knowledge production, and supports the realisation of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.

The categories to be presented include six Chancellor’s Awards for Excellence in Research, doubling the number of recipients from 2022, and the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Innovation, which will be presented for the first time in the history of R&I Awards. The Chancellor’s Award is the highest award for research at Unisa. Excellence in Research and Excellence in Innovation Awards will also be presented, both under the auspices of the Vice-Principal: Research, Postgraduate Studies, Innovation and Commercialisation (RPSIC).

Other categories to be presented are the Conversation Africa: 2022 Research Communication Recognition Award, as well as Women in Research Awards for, respectively, Unisa’s 2022 Youngest Female Doctoral Graduate and Emerging Researcher. Unisa innovators will also be recognised for their achievements in the domain of patents granted and intellectual property applications. Among others, Unisa researchers will further be honoured for external recognition they received, including being rated or rerated by the National Research Foundation (NRF).

Professor Thenjiwe Meyiwa, Unisa’s Vice Principal: Research, Postgraduate Studies, Innovation and Commercialisation, remarks: “This year, Unisa’s 150^th anniversary celebrations coincide with the Research and Innovation Portfolio’s 12^th anniversary. As a portfolio, this anniversary symbolises greatness and completeness of a particular cycle.”

She adds: “The 2023 R&I Awards reflect the significant growth of Unisa’s research, both in numbers and social impact.” Meyiwa also notes that the awards affirm Unisa’s diverse and invaluable nature of research and innovation, and its position as a leading comprehensive, open and distance e-learning (CODEL) institution on the African continent, aligning with the university’s 150^th anniversary theme.

Professor Les Labuschagne, Unisa’s Executive Director of Research, Innovation and Commercialisation, states: “Unisa has come a long way in the last 150 years. The R&I Awards provide an opportunity to recognise those who have made a significant contribution towards the intellectual futures of this country.”

He continues: “It takes a committed person to go beyond what is expected of her or him, not because of personal gain, but for a significant cause; therefore, Unisa does not take such commitment for granted.” Labuschagne also explains that since 2012, the awards ceremony has been the red-carpet event for the RPSIC portfolio, and an opportunity to showcase the excellence of research and innovation stars at Unisa. 

Some of Unisa’s top office-bearers will participate in the awards evening, including Principal and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Puleng LenkaBula, who will deliver the welcome address and speak on “Unisa and the pursuit for research global impact”. Meyiwa will speak on “The awards in context – striving for excellence”. The programme will be directed by a well-known educationist and public speaker, Dr Gillian Arendse, currently NRF-iThemba LABS’s Manager: Communication and Stakeholder Relations.

Click here for the YouTube R&I Awards broadcast link.

Click here for information on awardees in previous years.

#UnisaRandi  #Unisa150

* By Nancy Legodi, Acting Senior Journalist, Department of Institutional Advancement